Charting ASM鈥檚 New Strategic Course
The microbial sciences are rapidly expanding and we’re witnessing life-changing innovations. 海角社区appcan no longer simply react to the changes around us, but we must own our role in empowering the community of microbial scientists and all stakeholders to shape the future of the field. We must harness the transformative power of microbes to address humanity’s most pressing challenges.
海角社区appembraces the responsibility to support scientists and stakeholders globally, leveraging fundamental and applied science to create a positive impact for life on and sustainability of our planet.
ASM's new Strategic Roadmap solidifies ASM's role as a global Society, organized around key scientific disciplines and guided by the principle that science must serve humanity. ASM's new Roadmap calls upon leaders in science, industry and society to harness the power of microbes to improve lives and shape the future of the planet.
Defining ASM’s Scientific Units
To create a successful mechanism for gathering collegial input and developing a set of scientific priorities, 海角社区appwill establish 3 scientific units with the goal of integrating diverse and dynamic perspectives. ASM's Scientific Units Taskforce, chaired by 海角社区appPresident Virginia Miller, drew from their vast expertise across disciplines to envision the framework for these units.
Virginia Miller, Ph.D., Chair
Denise Akob, Ph.D.
Stefano Bertuzzi, Ph.D., MPH
Vaughn Cooper, Ph.D.
Victor DiRita, Ph.D.
Joanna Goldberg, Ph.D.
Michael Johnson, Ph.D.
Heidi Kaplan, Ph.D.
Theresa M. Koehler, Ph.D.
Jennifer Leeds, Ph.D.
Kara Levinson, Ph.D., MPH, D(ABMM)
Anirban Mahapatra, Ph.D.
Alexander McAdam, M.D., Ph.D., D(ABMM)
Robin Patel, M.D.
Gemma Reguera, Ph.D.
Allen Segal, J.D.
Kimberly Shankle
Ron Xavier, Ph.D.
Vincent Young. Ph.D.
The 3 scientific units—海角社区appMechanism Discovery, 海角社区appApplied and Environmental Microbiology and 海角社区appHealth—will each have their own infrastructure, led by a volunteer Scientific Chair and a full-time staff Scientific Director. Supported by expert Advisory Councils, and additional support staff, these leaders will guide the units with technical prowess and represent what will be the natural evolution of our current Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS).
These units will not function in isolation; they will collaborate, recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of microbial sciences and avoiding the pitfalls of scientific siloes. The objective is to integrate and coordinate efforts, creating a harmonious symphony of scientific excellence.
These units will draw in and integrate areas of the microbial sciences and those scientists who may not see themselves as “classic microbiologists.”
At the heart of this transformation is a profound understanding that our community is diverse and dynamic. 海角社区apprecognizes and supports that diversity at all levels. 海角社区appstrives to provide a clear home for every microbial scientist, be it a microbial ecologist, molecular biologist, clinical microbiologist, educator or an industrial microbiologist, while enhancing and promoting their identities and communities, and facilitating interactions where beneficial.
This transformative journey is not a mere addition to ASM’s current structure; it is a profound reimagining of ASM’s foundation, governance and operations. Simultaneously, we recognize that securing the long-term sustainability of this bold initiative and its implementation is critically important and will require the development of a supporting financial model.
Setting Strategic Outcomes
At the December 2023 Board of Directors meeting, the board endorsed the proof-of-concept 海角社区appStrategic Framework and supporting Scientific Units. Over the course of 2023, we sought input from 海角社区appmembership, in multiple settings.
We anticipate the board will give its approval of the strategy in March 2024. In the interim, we are preparing for implementation. A set of 海角社区app2024 Organizational Priorities is taking shape, each priority a stepping stone toward our collective vision.
Throughout its centennial history, 海角社区apphas been a driving force in advancing microbial sciences. Today, as scientific boundaries blur and research accelerates, 海角社区appfeels an even greater responsibility. We foresee 海角社区appas the unifying global force that holds the space for the future, bringing together scientists and stakeholders worldwide to harness the incredible power of microbes. The time for a strategic pivot is now. 海角社区appwill not only shape its own destiny but also ambitiously contribute to shaping the future of global microbial sciences and redefining what it means to be a professional scientific society. Together, let us embark on this inspiring journey.
Enlisting Our Community
Crucial to bringing ASM’s new strategic plan to life is ensuring that our society represents all areas of the microbial sciences, and to do this, we need feedback from ASM’s members. To learn more about the strategic plan, listen to 海角社区appPresident Virginia Miller and 海角社区appCEO Stefano Bertuzzi discuss the need for change and how ASM’s vast community of members and stakeholders fit into the new strategy.
Hearing from all our members will help us get a comprehensive picture of our Society so that we can structure 海角社区appin the best way to address the challenges and opportunities ahead. We encourage you to send us your feedback on how we can build a forward-looking strategic plan that serves both members and the public.